LabBox

[RalphLambrecht]

I just ordered one of these because, according to the manufacturer, it will allow me to develop film in daylight, including loading he reel. Does anybody have any experience with it?
Can be found at wwwmacodirect.de

 

[Horatio]

I have one. PET film is a little difficult to cut, but it works ok other than that. 120 is a little tricky to load. I'd invest in a crank. Make sure the clamp is centered.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Agfa used to make a similar tank: https://emulsive.org/articles/revie...ht-film-processing-tank-the-agfa-rondinax-35u I think Leica sold a rebranded version. It's been out of production for a long time.

 

[Auer]

It works fine with the right types of Film.
Be prepared to waste a few rolls while figuring out the quirks tho.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/mystery-incompatible-films-with-lab-box.174452/

LIST OF FILM WITH PET BASE
These films can't be loaded in Lab-Box 120 Module and can be hard to clip in Lab-Box 135 Module:

JCH 400
Rollei Infrared
Rollei 80s
Rollei Superpan 200
Rollei 400s
Fomapan 100
Fomapan 200
Fomapan 400
Bergger 400 120
CatLABS X FILM ISO 80 120
Arista film
Astrum film
Lomography Earl Grey B&W 100

 

[AgX]

Agfa used to make a similar tank: https://emulsive.org/articles/revie...ht-film-processing-tank-the-agfa-rondinax-35u I think Leica sold a rebranded version. It's been out of production for a long time.

Agfa introduced this idea of daylight-loading. They made 3 different models.

This idea has been taken over by Jobo, though with a tank that very much resembles their other modern-type tanks, in the 60's and made it into the 2000's.

I myself have repeatedly doubted the benefit of such tank for a experienced user. Unless maybe he is physically limited in loading a spiral.
That Ralph did not take that advanced Jobo version instead very much surprises me.

 

[Auer]

Agfa introduced this idea of daylight-loading. They made 3 different models.

This idea has been taken over by Jobo, though with a tank that very much resembles their other modern-type tanks, in the 60's and made it into the 2000's.

I myself have repeatedly doubted the benefit of such tank for a experienced user. Unless maybe he is physically limited in loading a spiral.
That Ralph did not take that advanced Jobo version instead very much surprises me.

The benefit is simplicity, especially with a monobath.
Rotary development with no need for a changing bag etc done in any tiny apartment/room with running water.
Its also fun. But obviously not for everyone. Fun, that is.

 

[Auer]

Agfa introduced this idea of daylight-loading. They made 3 different models.

This idea has been taken over by Jobo, though with a tank that very much resembles their other modern-type tanks, in the 60's and made it into the 2000's.

I myself have repeatedly doubted the benefit of such tank for a experienced user. Unless maybe he is physically limited in loading a spiral.
That Ralph did not take that advanced Jobo version instead very much surprises me.

Also I dont think the Jobo tank (2400?) is available anymore and it was for 35mm film only.

 

[AgX]

Yes, it was only for 35mm. But then you could handle it just like a standard tank, roll it or invert it.

Yes, it is long time no more offered by Jobo, but nearly all my photo stuff I bought used locally, so that would work out for me, sooner or later..

One argument for a daylight-loading tank to be used by excperienced users is the chance tp process film during a travel, in a hotel room. Well, a changing bag and a standard tank will not take much more volume than a daylight.-loading tank, especially seen the bottles, graduates and such. Remains only the cost for that changing bag.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Agfa introduced this idea of daylight-loading. They made 3 different models.

This idea has been taken over by Jobo, though with a tank that very much resembles their other modern-type tanks, in the 60's and made it into the 2000's.

I myself have repeatedly doubted the benefit of such tank for a experienced user. Unless maybe he is physically limited in loading a spiral.
That Ralph did not take that advanced Jobo version instead very much surprises me.

I was unaware of a Jobo version and being one-handed got me to the Labbox... we'll see.

 

[madNbad]

Jobo stopped production of the 2400 daylight tank a number of years back. Secondary sellers are asking ridiculous prices for them. The LabBox offers more and being closer in design to a Rodinax, easier to use. Get the crank for the LabBox, when I had a Rodinax, constantly turning the knob was annoying.

 

[Helios 1984]

Agfa introduced this idea of daylight-loading. They made 3 different models.

This idea has been taken over by Jobo, though with a tank that very much resembles their other modern-type tanks, in the 60's and made it into the 2000's.

I myself have repeatedly doubted the benefit of such tank for a experienced user. Unless maybe he is physically limited in loading a spiral.
That Ralph did not take that advanced Jobo version instead very much surprises me.

The Rondinax is a proven design, a production run of over 4 decades is a testament to this. They do develop quirks over time but only if they're not maintained properly, mind you, not that they require much care. The only downside is that the 35/35U (35mm) isn't really meant to process colours, you can do it if you don't mind colour inaccuracy but the whole design is clearly B/W oriented. The 60 (120), on the other hand, can be used to process colours due to its simpler design.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Jobo stopped production of the 2400 daylight tank a number of years back. Secondary sellers are asking ridiculous prices for them. The LabBox offers more and being closer in design to a Rodinax, easier to use. Get the crank for the LabBox, when I had a Rodinax, constantly turning the knob was annoying.

good idea.I ordered the optional crank!

 

[Auer]

good idea.I ordered the optional crank!

Worth while option.

I use mine on a stainless steel countertop and can stop it from moving around while cranking with one hand by putting a folded wet kitchen towel underneath it.
Still crank "gently" of course.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Worth while option.

I use mine on a stainless steel countertop and can stop it from moving around while cranking with one hand by putting a folded wet kitchen towel underneath it.
Still crank "gently" of course.

Good idea thanks for the tip!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Yes, it was only for 35mm. But then you could handle it just like a standard tank, roll it or invert it.

Yes, it is long time no more offered by Jobo, but nearly all my photo stuff I bought used locally, so that would work out for me, sooner or later..

One argument for a daylight-loading tank to be used by experienced users is the chance tp process film during a travel, in a hotel room. Well, a changing bag and a standard tank will not take much more volume than a daylight.-loading tank, especially seen the bottles, graduates and such. Remains only the cost for that changing bag.

a changing bag is not an option for me.never worked well for me but mainly, being one-handed now, I'm hoping the Labbox will be much easier to load.

 

[Auer]

a changing bag is not an option for me.never worked well for me but mainly, being one-handed now, I'm hoping the Labbox will be much easier to load.

Sorry about your unfortunate circumstances.

I messed around with my LB this morning a bit trying to visualize your situation and I think with some practice it could work.
Assembling the reel and such probably will be a bit rough but once done it can stay that way.
Assembly needs to be done correctly, most issues with the LB is related to not assembling things properly.

If anything, a way to secure the LB to a work surface would certainly go a long way to make things easier, especially for when removing 120 film backing paper.

 

[Helios 1984]

What about an anti-slip mat? The ones that are foamy, they’re inexpensive and readily available.

 

[Auer]

What about an anti-slip mat? The ones that are foamy, they’re inexpensive and readily available.

I use a wet kitchen towel, same idea.

I believe it could use some clamp or weight to hold it put tho for some things like the 120 paper removal I mentioned.
It's pretty light.

 

[Craig75]

Hewes film loader might be an option if labbox doesn't work out.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Sorry about your unfortunate circumstances.

I messed around with my LB this morning a bit trying to visualize your situation and I think with some practice it could work.
Assembling the reel and such probably will be a bit rough but once done it can stay that way.
Assembly needs to be done correctly, most issues with the LB is related to not assembling things properly.

If anything, a way to secure the LB to a work surface would certainly go a long way to make things easier, especially for when removing 120 film backing paper.

a friend will help me with the assembly and we will sacrifice a few films to get familiar with the operation.Imago's online video tutorials go a long way to understand the system. I watched them all at least ten times and can't wait to get started.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

It works fine with the right types of Film.
Be prepared to waste a few rolls while figuring out the quirks tho.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/mystery-incompatible-films-with-lab-box.174452/

LIST OF FILM WITH PET BASE
These films can't be loaded in Lab-Box 120 Module and can be hard to clip in Lab-Box 135 Module:

JCH 400
Rollei Infrared
Rollei 80s
Rollei Superpan 200
Rollei 400s
Fomapan 100
Fomapan 200
Fomapan 400
Bergger 400 120
CatLABS X FILM ISO 80 120
Arista film
Astrum film
Lomography Earl Grey B&W 100

Luckily I don't use any of these films.

 

[AgX]

But chances that you get one in hand are rising. It meanwhile seems, the majority of rebranded films are of current stock of Agfa,and thus on PET base..

 

[RalphLambrecht]

But chances that you get one in hand are rising. It meanwhile seems, the majority of rebranded films are of current stock of Agfa, and thus on PET base..

I'm exclusively using Ilford 120 films these days and the 120 model does not have to cut film anyway.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I use a wet kitchen towel, same idea.

I believe it could use some clamp or weight to hold it put tho for some things like the 120 paper removal I mentioned.
It's pretty light.

That's what I was thinking; maybe a desk lamp like there was an older pencil sharpeners.

 

[Auer]

That's what I was thinking; maybe a desk lamp like there was an older pencil sharpeners.

I think a bungie cord would be more practical if you can find points to attach it to.

You might need a specific type of table/counter or attach some hooks here and there.